If there is any unprocessed character area, and if there is any character area sharing a common character color with the unprocessed character area, the image processing apparatus calculates, as a first number, the total number of the pixels included in these two character areas. The image processing apparatus also calculates, as a second number, the number of pixels included in an area formed by integrating the two character areas. Then, the image processing apparatus judges whether the ratio of the first number to the second number is less than a predetermined threshold value. In other words, the image processing apparatus judges whether the following is satisfied: Second Number/First Number